NEARLY 50.000 new vehicles on Panama roads  helped push push gasoline sales up 8.9 percent in the first nine months of the year with a swing to 95 octane.

Traffic jams also increased, with more ahead as the Christmas rush kicks in.

Figures released by the Comptroller General  show that gasoline sales totaled 231.3 million gallons up 19 million from the same period last year.

95 Octane sales rose 19.4% while 91 octane fell 1.6%.